Cars are like sneakers—run them hard in Wisconsin weather and they need TLC sooner. For most Mitsubishis, think every 6 months for basic care, and add a few cold-weather extras so your SUV doesn’t tap out on a 5°F Monday.
Quick Answer
- Every 6 months / 5–7.5k miles: oil & filter, tire rotation, multipoint inspection, top fluids.
- Every 12 months: cabin/engine air filters as needed, brake inspection, alignment check.
- Every 2 years: brake fluid exchange; coolant test; battery test before winter.
- Major items (mile-based):
- Spark plugs: ~60k–105k (engine-dependent).
- CVT/AT service: follow the manual; sooner if you tow or face lots of stop-and-go.
- Coolant: as scheduled (inspect yearly).
- Drive belts: inspect yearly; replace if cracked/noisy.
Wisconsin reality: frequent short trips, salt, and temperature swings = severe service for many drivers. If that’s you, use the tighter end of each interval.
Model-by-Model Cheat Sheet
| Outlander / Outlander Sport / Eclipse Cross (gas) | Outlander PHEV | Mirage / Mirage G4 |
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Seasonal Playbook (Wisconsin Edition)
| Fall (pre-winter): | Winter (Dec–Feb): | Spring: | Summer: |
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What Counts as “Severe Service”? (you might be doing it)
- Mostly short trips (engine rarely fully warms)
- Lots of idling/stop-and-go
- Extreme temps (hello, Madison winters)
- Dusty or salty roads
- Towing/roof boxes or heavy cargo
If that’s your life, follow shorter intervals and you’ll spend less long-term.
10-Minute Service Visit Checklist
- Oil & filter change (correct spec)
- Rotate tires, set to door-jamb PSI
- Inspect brakes, lights, belts, hoses
- Top off washer/coolant/brake fluids
- Battery test & terminal clean
- Reset maintenance minder & update sticker
DIY vs Pro
- DIY-friendly: wipers, washer fluid, cabin/engine filters, basic bulbs on some trims.
- Shop-worthy: brakes, CVT/AT service, coolant exchange, alignment, ADAS camera/radar calibrations.
Warranty & Fluids (don’t skip this)
- Keep records (dates, mileage, invoices).
- Use OEM-spec parts/fluids—especially CVT fluid and coolants.
- Stick to time/mileage even if you drive less—oil and fluids age on the calendar.
Common Questions
3,000-mile oil changes still a thing?
With modern synthetics, most Mitsubishis are 5–7.5k miles / 6 months. Severe service? stay closer to 5k.
Do I need winter tires if I have S-AWC?
Yes if you drive in storms. AWD/S-AWC helps you go; winter tires help you stop and turn.
My PHEV barely uses gas—still change oil?
Yep. Oil degrades with time and short heat cycles. Follow the calendar.
CVT flush or drain/fill?
Follow the manual and use the correct fluid. Many services are measured by condition & interval, not aggressive “flushes.”
Service Rhythm You Can Live With
- Every 6 months: oil, rotate, inspect
- Every 12 months: filters, alignment check
- Every 24 months: brake fluid, deep winter check
- Mileage-based majors: spark plugs, CVT/AT, coolant per model
If your dash light pops early, schedule by the reminder—whichever comes first: time or miles.
Why Kunes Mad City Mitsubishi?
- Mitsubishi-trained techs who know S-AWC, PHEV systems, and CVTs
- OEM parts & fluids that play nice with Wisconsin winters
- Transparent estimates and clear “good/better/best” options
- Shuttle/comfort perks and digital multipoint reports so you actually know what’s up
